The teenage years are a time of extreme change. It is during these years that a child starts to explore who he is and what type of person he wants to be. Teenagers experiment with independence, values and feelings.
Not only is your child changing, but so is your relationship with him. As a parent you must now adjust how you relate to your young adult. There are strategies that can help you preserve your relationship with your teen while supporting his development.
Keep Open Lines of Communication
As your child tests his independence it is important to communicate his limits and what you expect. Some limits advised by the Healthy Children website include curfews, attention to schoolwork and driving safety. The website notes that good communication helps clarify the rules and teaches your teen how to express his feelings and talk to others.
If a conversation leads to a disagreement, Healthy Children advises a respectful, honest and open dialogue. Listen to his viewpoint and calmly express yours. Be honest and respectful. Show your teen that he is loved, even though you may disagree on an issue.
Offer Guidance
The website Parenting Teens encourages parents to give their teenage child more responsibilities and to allow him to make more independent decisions. Offer him guidance when he is making choices. Be a coach. Help him understand the pros and cons of his options. Teach him how his decisions will affect him, but allow him to make the final call. Don't judge his decisions. If your child knows that you will not judge him, he will be more likely to come to you for guidance if a decision backfires.
Spend Time Together
The more time you spend with your teenager, the more you will learn about the person he is becoming and the more influence you will have on his development. The Child Development Institute website advises parents to pay attention to their teen. Sometimes kids feel they can't talk to their parents, because the adults are too busy. The parenting website suggests driving the child to school or designating time every week to spend together. Find a common interest, such as a sport or hobby and enjoy it together.
Foresee Temptations
There are ways to help your teenager navigate temptation. Instilling self confidence is the first step in helping your child say no to negative influences. Keep Kids Healthy notes that teenagers who feel loved by their families have better success battling peer pressure.
The site adds that parents who talk to their teens about the perils of dangerous substances have more success keeping them safe. Sometimes parents underestimate the affect they have on their children. Talk to your child openly and honestly about drugs and alcohol. Help him form a plan in case he finds himself in a bad situation. Reassure him that he can call you at any time for a ride home from an uncomfortable or dangerous situation. If you think your teenager has a problem with alcohol or drugs, do not hesitate to get counseling--for him and for both of you, if necessary.
